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Page 369
she thought over the words that had produced so violent a reaction, she realized that only Salisbury's feeling of guilt could have misinterpreted them. Added to what Salisbury had said when he first came inhis suggestion of excuses for Ian to withdraw from fighting in the meleehis behavior was near proof of guilty knowledge. It was natural that he should be very sore on the point of honor. To know what he knew and not to act or speak out was not honorable. Yet Alinor could feel no contempt. It was bad enough for men like Ian and Pembroke to serve faithfully such a master. What hell it must be for Salisbury, who not only served but loved him.
"Of course," Ian continued, with a faint smile, "I do not think I am so bad as Richard. I have a good practical reason for what I do, in addition to my sworn oath. I said to Alinor some time since that it was necessary to put aside personal liking and sometimes even personal good for the good of the realm at large. Whatever the king feels toward me, he loves this land. It is his native place, the seat of his affections. I have said also, more than once, that much ill for which the king is blamed is no fault of his, and he has done much goodfor example, reforming the courts of law from the corruption of Richard's reign."
Some color had returned to Salisbury's face. He lifted the cup of wine, and drank. His expression was eager, although a shadow still dwelt in his eyes. "Yes, that is true," he agreed urgently, almost pleadingly.
"You need not feel that I will fail in my faith," Ian said firmly. "Not for liking nor disliking nor insult. I may well withdraw from the courtit may be necessary for me to do so, as you point out what I have done could not be pleasing to the kingbut in any time of need I will stand firm."
A sigh that trickled out of Salisbury told the other half of the tale. He had come to warn Ian, but he had also come to bind Ian tighter and tighter to the man

 
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